A return to a more egalitarian level of racing could be in store for capable but selective young stayer Vatuvei.

In a career that has produced three wins from 24 starts, Vatuvei has established himself as something of an elitist galloper.

After winning his maiden at Sale in February last year, Vatuvei's only two subsequent wins have been in city stakes races.

Three runs after breaking his duck the gelding won the Listed VRC St Leger with his only other victory coming in the Group Two Moonee Valley Cup last spring.

The best of his nine runs since is a third placing in the Listed McKell Cup at Randwick three starts back.

"He's only won three races, but he's had to pay the price for them," said trainer Peter Moody.

"He had 60kg last start and he's got the same at Flemington on Saturday."

Vatuvei's predicament as a good-class winner with limitations led Moody to test him in a 2400m hurdle trial at Traralgon last week in preparation for Saturday's Banjo Paterson Series Final (2600m) at Flemington.

His effort in the trial may have opened a new door for Vatuvei.

"He won the trial pretty well, jumped well, seemed to enjoy it," his trainer said.

Moody isn't preparing for a jumps campaign just yet, but Saturday's performance could influence his thinking.

Among the opposition likely to confront Vatuvei on Saturday is the former Chilean runner Sahara Sun and the American-bred stayer Police Gazette.

Both horse run in the OTI Racing colours, Sahara Sun for trainer Ciaron Maher and Police Gazette for Darren Weir.

And both have identical form to recommend them having dead-heated for third behind Cooldini over 2500m at Flemington at their latest runs.